Overview
- On Wednesday the AA repeated warnings that the current heatwave is making commutes more dangerous by increasing tiredness, short tempers and mistakes behind the wheel.
- The Met Office has issued Red and Amber heat alerts for parts of Britain with forecasts of temperatures approaching 38C to 40C and ongoing overnight warmth that can disrupt sleep.
- DriveTech, the AA’s driver training arm, cited research showing dehydration can impair concentration, short-term memory and reaction speed in ways comparable to alcohol or drug impairment.
- The AA linked heat-driven irritability and congested roads to a higher chance of aggressive behaviours such as tailgating, harsh braking, speeding and reckless overtaking.
- To cut risk the AA advised drivers to drink water, build extra travel time, avoid responding to provocation and to stop in a safe place or delay journeys if feeling drowsy.